Timeform UK SmartPlays: Thursday December 12

Finding a good bet is often a balancing act, as in the first race today at 12:30. For all his relative inconsistency up to now, Shadarpour is well worth taking to follow up his recent maiden-breaking win at Plumpton. He came clear that day with Agapanthus, who himself had long looked one with more to give, both having been strong in the betting. There's good reason, then, to think of the form in positive terms for the lowly grade. Shouldering just a 7-lb penalty for his success that day, Shadarpour makes plenty appeal at current prices from a handicapping perspective. It's just to be hoped that he can string good runs together now he's finding his stride for the Gary Moore yard.

The handicap hurdle at 13:30 is as competitive as you'd expect for the grade. Prompter is currently favourite on the strength of his clear second to jumps road at Wincanton last week. However, he again looked far from the hardiest in a battle and therefore it could be worth opposing him here with plenty of alternatives available. Prime candidate is Springinherstep, apparently the Henderson first string. Strictly she has a bit to find from a BHA mark of 119, though the signs were there on her last start that she has the requisite ability. Held up in a slowly-run race, Springinherstep could never land a telling blow but wasn't beaten far on what was her return from six months off. Though it remains to be seen if this drop to around two miles will prove ideal, Springinherstep is a strong traveller who ought to at least get away with the trip.

Our final SmartPlay comes in the Peterborough Chase (14:00), not just because it's the big race of the day but because there genuinely appears to be some value among the seven entered runners. Respected though the likes of Riverside Theatre and Captain Chris are, Champion Court shouldn't be bigger than 7.06/1 to beat them in the context of this race. There are doubts over some of the market principals- Riverside Theatre needing to recover from a disastrous 2012/13 campaign and Captain Chris known to have had a setback last month- though it'd be unfair not to point out Champion Court's good points too. He has fitness on his side for a start following a fair showing in the Paddy Power (seventh and would have been closer but for belting three out), while his uncomplicated front-running style should see him to good effect around Huntingdon. Chances are that Champion Court is no better than the third most-able horse in today's Peterborough, but circumstances mean he can be best on the day.

Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Huntingdon

Back Shadarpour @ 4.94/1 in the 12:30
Back Springinherstep @ 6.611/2 in the 13:30
Back Champion Court @ 7.26/1 in the 14:00